Rapid diagnosis of coagulopathies from vitamin K deficiency in a consecutive case cohort evaluated by comparative assessment of factor II by 1-stage assays with prothrombin time vs Ecarin reagents

BACKGROUND: Vitamin K (VK) deficiency (VKD) impairs γ-carboxylation of VK-dependent factors (VKDFs), resulting in higher factor (F)II levels measured by Ecarin (FIIE) reagents (that convert des-γ-carboxylated FII to meizothrombin) than by prothrombin time (FII) reagents. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate FII/FIIE abnormalities among patients assessed for coagulopathies and identify findings predictive of coagulopathy improvement after VK.